OutCentral cuts staff position, folds responsibilities into board structure

Article updated 02/16/10

Citing the poor economy and a desire to streamline its operations, the OutCentral Board of Directors has eliminated the center’s sole paid-staff position.

Executive Director Jim Hawk has been voted onto the center’s board, and in this role will now have a vote in its operations going forward, according to a letter to members and supporters from Jason Fletcher, moderator.

“The position was designed in our bylaws and original business plan as a full time, paid position,” Fletcher said. “Unfortunately, due to the recent economic difficulties and recession, we have not been able to raise the funds needed to support this position.”

The executive-director position, while designed as a paid job, has never been funded, something that was unfair to Hawk, added board member Kate Nelson.

“We were very optimistic three years ago that we would finish construction, begin a lot of programming, have a lot of members and rent out all our space,” Nelson said. “Our fundraising hasn’t grown as quickly as we would like and the economy isn’t helping, and we wanted to take the stress off Jim. He’s had a lot of pressure and expectation from the community, and has been doing incredible amounts of work all on a volunteer basis. This will relieve that and also give him a chance to vote with everyone else on the center’s issues.”

Hawk has served as the executive director since OutCentral’s formative days, and in this role did not have a vote with regard to the facility’s direction, according to Fletcher, who added that “We feel like in this role Jim can still provide his talents and direction to OutCentral, while balancing the number of hours that he has to put in to match more of a volunteer role. Additionally, a position on the board allows Jim to be able to vote on OutCentral's business, giving him a true voice in the direction of the organization.”

National Margarita Day

A lot of us have really picked up an interest in tequila and it's no wonder. Its popularity is soaring in the U.S. and doesn't look like it'll be slowing down any time soon. The only contender would probably be whiskey. Meh, but they have their own day. Now, it's National Margarita Day and we put together some of the best margarita recipes around so you can pick one or maybe even all of them to try.

We have a few surprises in there too. Maybe it's not all about tequila but it certainly has a theme going on. Take a look at some of these great tequila brands and start making some amazing margaritas today!

Keep reading Show less
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

Gender-Inclusive Universities and Student Privacy

For many students, attending university is a profound, often life-changing, transition. It is often the student’s first time living on their own without parental supervision. This lifestyle is also accompanied by a period of self-discovery, of defining and redefining a sense of personal identity largely independent of the influence of family and friends from home.

For students who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, this rite of passage can also be a deeply empowering one. Indeed, attending university may be the student’s first real opportunity to explore their gender identity in a safe, comfortable, and accepting college.

Keep reading Show less

José Cuervo's Reserva de la Familia agave fields

Disclaimer: My trip was provided courtesy of a press trip but all opinions about the trip and events are my own. Please note there are affiliate links and at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.

I had the opportunity to visit Mexico for an event José Cuervo was putting on, the unveiling of their premium tequila brand, Reserva de la Familia. The trip was all about tequila, how to drink it properly, how to pair it with food, and of course, visiting various points of interest in Guadalajara while tasting tequila along the way.

Keep reading Show less